Remote Sensing in Mineral Exploration

The proliferation of remote sensing platforms has resulted in unprecedented opportunities for ore deposit vectoring. Importantly, remote sensing technology is now beyond the vague identifıcation of alteration, and can accurately map specifıc minerals and directly contribute to the understanding of ore systems. Remote sensing is making discoveries of new alteration zones within classic and previously well mapped ore systems, as well as outlining their geometry and mineralogy. Confıning this review to the geologically important reflected-light remote sensing systems, there are four main categories of sensors readily available to economic geologists, including the following: (1) submeter resolution panchromatic satellites that offer little spectral information but provide base maps; (2) multispectral Landsat satellites that can map iron and clay alteration; (3) the new ASTER satellite that can map important alteration groups and some specifıc minerals; and (4) hyperspectral airborne scanners that can provide maps of specifıc mineral species important to detailed alteration mapping. At the core of comprehending this plethora of technology is the difference between spectral and spatial resolution. This review will provide an understanding of the more fundamental aspects of remote sensing systems that will help fıeld geologists to interact better with and leverage this rapidly evolving technology.